Purification of enough numbers of circulating eosinophils is difficult because eosinophils account for less than 5% peripheral blood leukocytes. Human eosinophilic leukemia EoL-1 cells have been considered an in vitro source of eosinophils as they can differentiate into mature eosinophil-like cells when incubated with dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) or butyric acid. In this study, the viability and phenotypic maturation of EoL-1 cells stimulated by either dbcAMP or butyric acid were comparatively analyzed. After treatment with 100 microM dbcAMP or 0.5 microM butyric acid, EoL-1 cells showed morphological signs of differentiation, although the number of nonviable EoL-1 cells was significantly increased following butyric acid treatment. Stimulation of EoL-1 cells with 0.5 microM butyric acid more effectively induced the expression of mature eosinophil markers than stimulation with dbcAMP. These results suggest that treatment of EoL-1 cells with 0.5 microM butyric acid for limited duration could be an effective strategy for inducing their differentiation. Considering that expression of CCR3 was not sufficient in EoL-1 cells stimulated with 0.5 microM butyric acid, treatment of the chemically stimulated EoL-1 cells with cytokines, which primarily support eosinophil maturation, would help to obtain differentiated EoL-1 cells with greater functional maturity.
Bucladesine ; Butyric Acid* ; Cytokines ; Eosinophils* ; Humans* ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome* ; Leukocytes

It is well known that the bona pellucidae of mouse oocytes become 'hardened' when they are allowed to mature in vitro in the absence of serum components. To see if oocytes already undergone meiotic resumption in vivo exhibit similar zona hardening, hardening of ZP of cumulus-enclosed oocytes(CEOs) was examined after culture in vitro since their release from follicles various hours after hCG injection. When CEOs matured in vivo for 3h or longer were subjected to culture in vitro for 14h with BSA alone, zona hardening was significantly reduced compared to those cultured in vitro from the begining of maturation. However, when CEOs matured in vivo for 5h were freed from cumulus cells and then cultured in vitro with BSA alone, little reduction of zona hardening was observed. Preincubation of CEOs for 5h with fetuin, one of the well known inhibitor of in vitro zone hardening, did not prevent bona hardening during its subsequent culture of CEOs for 14h without fetuin. However, when CEOs precultured with both fetuin and PMSG for 5h and then further cultured with BSA alone for 14h, zona hardening was dramatically reduced. Under these conditions, the expansion of cumulus cell was observed. In addition, CEOs cultured with both BSA and dbcAMP to prevent their meiotic resumption showed a significant increase of zona hardening. Whether the observed zona hardening was correlated with the conversion of ZP2 to ZP2f was examined. Zona pellucida, isolated from CEOs matured for 5h in vivo and then further cultured with BSA alone was subjected to SDS-PAGE. Most of ZP2 molecules from these CEOs did not undergo conversion from ZP2 to ZP2f. From these results, it is concluded that CEOs undergone meiotic resumption in vivo do not exhibit bona hardening when they were subsequently cultured in vitro without serum components. It appears that cumulus cells play an important role in this phenomenon.
Animals ; Bucladesine ; Cumulus Cells ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Fetuins ; Herpes Zoster* ; Mice* ; Oocytes* ; Zona Pellucida

OBJECTIVE: Melatonin, which is secreted by pineal gland play an important role in the regulation of ovarian function via seasonal rhythm and sleep in most mammals. It also has a role in the protection of cells by removing toxic oxygen free radicals brought about by metabolism. In the present study, effects of melatonin on the mouse oocyte maturation were examined using two different culture conditions provided with 5% or 21% oxygen concentration. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Immature mouse oocytes were obtained from the ovarian follicles of 3~4 weeks old ICR strain mice intraperitoneally injected with 5 I.U. PMSG 44 hour before. Under stereomicroscope, morphologically healthy oocytes with distinct germinal vesicle (GV) were liberated from the graafian follicles and collected using mouth-controlled micropipette. They were then cultured for 17 hour at 37degrees C, 5% CO2 and 21% O2 (95% air) or 5% CO2, 5% O2 and 90% N2. New modified Hank's balanced salt solution (New MHBS) was used as a culture medium throughout the experiments. Effects of melatonin were examined at a concentration of 0.0001 micrometer, 0.01 micrometer or 1.0 micrometer. For the prevention of spontaneous maturation of immature oocytes during culture, dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) and/or hypoxanthine were included in the medium. RESULTS: Under 21% oxygen condition, oocytes cultured in the presence of 0.01 micrometer melatonin showed a significantly higher maturation rates, in terms of germinal vesicle breakdown (95.0% vs 89.0%) and polar body formation (88.1% vs 75.4%), compared to those cultured with 0.0001 micrometer or 1.0 micrometer melatonin. However, no difference was observed in oocytes cultured under 5% oxygen whether they were treated with melatonin or not. In the presence of 0.01 micrometer melatonin, oocytes either cultured under 21% or 5% oxygen exhibited no difference in the polar body formation (85.6% vs 86.7%). However, in the absence of melatonin, oocytes cultured under 21% oxygen exhibited lower polar body formation (74.7%). When oocytes were cultured in the presence of dbcAMP alone or with varying concentrations of melatonin, those treated with both compounds always showed better maturation, i.e., germinal vesicle breakdown and polar body formation, compared to those cultured with dbcAMP alone. At the same concentration of melatonin, however, oocytes exposed to 21% oxygen showed poor maturation than those to 5% oxygen. Similar results were obtained from the experiments using hypoxanthine instead of dbcAMP. CONCLUSION: Based upon these results, it is suggested that melatonin could enhance the meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes under 21% oxygen concentration, and release oocytes from the meiotic arrest by dbcAMP or hypoxanthine regardless of the concentration of oxygen, probably via the removal of oxygen free radicals.
Animals ; Bucladesine ; Female ; Free Radicals ; Hypoxanthine ; Mammals ; Melatonin* ; Metabolism ; Mice* ; Oocytes* ; Ovarian Follicle ; Oxygen ; Pineal Gland ; Polar Bodies ; Seasons

The regulatory role of cyclic nucleotides in the expression of neutrophil responses has been examined. fMLP-stimulated superoxide production in neutrophils was inhibited by dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP), histamine, adenosine + theophylline, cAMP elevating agents, and 8-bromoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcGMP) and sodium nitroprusside, cGMP elevating agents. Staurosporine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, genistein, a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor and chlorpromazine, a calmodulin inhibitor, inhibited superoxide production by fMLP, but they did not further affect the action of DBcAMP on the stimulatory action of fMLP. DBcAMP, histamine, adenosine + theophylline and genistein inhibited myeloperoxidease release evoked by fMLP, whereas BrcGMP, sodium nitroprusside and staurosporine did not affect it. The elevation of (Ca2+)-i evoked by fMLP was inhibited by genistein and chlorpromazine but was not affected by staurosporine. DBcAMP exerted little effect on the initial peak in (Ca2+)-i response to fMLP but effectively inhibited the sustained rise. On the other hand, BrcGMP significantly inhibited both phases. fMLP-induced Mn-2+ influx was inhibited by either DBcAMP or BrcGMP. These results suggest that fMLP-stimulated neutrophil responses may be regulated by cAMP more than cGMP. cAMP and cGMP appear not affect stimulated responses by direct protein kinase C activation. Their regulatory action on the stimulated neutrophil responses may be not influenced by other activation processes.
Adenosine ; Bucladesine ; Calmodulin ; Chlorpromazine ; Genistein ; Hand ; Histamine ; Neutrophils* ; Nitroprusside ; Nucleotides, Cyclic ; Protein Kinase C ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Staurosporine ; Superoxides ; Theophylline

OBJECTIVE: Nitric oxide (NO) produced in ovary may contribute to follicle maturation, ovulation, oocyte maturation and luteinization. In this study, the effect of nitric oxide on the spontaneous maturation of mouse oocyte was observed. Method: The index of oocyte maturation was checked by the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and appearance of polar body (PB) under microscope in the denuded oocytes and oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCCs) from mouse ovarian follicles after 24 hours pregnant-mare serum gonadotropin treatment. RESULTS: The GVBD appeared 50 %, 1 hour and 80 %, 2 hrs after changes of oocytes from dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP, 0.5 mM) contained media into dbcAMP-free media. dbcAMP (0.5 mM) completely blocked the GVBD until 24 hrs but dbcGMP (5 mM) delayed the GVBD by 1 hr. Sodium nitroprusside, the NO generator, inhibited the GVBD dose-dependently at 2 hr incubation in denuded and OCCs. The appearance of GVBD was not different between control and dbcGMP or SNP in denuded oocytes and OCCs at 24 hrs incubation. The guanylate cyclase activity in denuded oocyte cytosol was not detected whereas the guanylate cyclase activity in OCCs cytosol was 1.3 nmole/min/mg protein which was increased about 3 times by SNP (100 micrometer). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the NO in ovary may delay the spontaneous oocyte maturation in early stage by acting on the maturation signaling protein as well as guanylate cyclase.
Animals ; Bucladesine ; Cytosol ; Female ; Gonadotropins ; Guanylate Cyclase ; Lutein ; Luteinization ; Mice* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Nitroprusside ; Oocytes* ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary ; Ovulation ; Polar Bodies ; Staphylococcal Protein A

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the influence of cAMP/PKA signal transduction on human sperm motility, and to study the effect of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) on human sperm motility in vitro.

METHODSSperm aseptically obtained by masturbation and prepared by swim-up technique from 10 healthy fertile men were incubated with different concentrations of dbcAMP. Measurement of mobility were carried out at 20, 30, and 60 min in all specimens.

RESULTSThe sperm treated with dbcAMP showed a significant increase in sperm progressive motility and the percentage of motile cells. The effect seemed enhanced with the increasing of dbcAMP concentration. VSL and VCL were not affected by dbcAMP.

CONCLUSIONSdbcAMP can activate the mobility of human sperm in vitro.

Adult ; Bucladesine ; pharmacology ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Male ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; drug effects

AIMTo study the influences of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) and forskolin on human sperm motility in vitro.

METHODSSemen samples, aseptically obtained by masturbation and prepared by swim-up technique from 20 fertile men, were incubated with different concentrations of dbcAMP and forskolin at 37 deg. Measurements were carried out after 10 min, 20 min, 30 min and 60 min incubation. Motility parameters were estimated by using an automatic analyzing system.

RESULTSTreatment with dbcAMP or forskolin resulted in a significant increase in sperm motility and progressive motility. The larger the concentrations of dbcAMP or forskolin, the greater the effect appeared. The straight linear velocity and curvilinear velocity were not affected by both agents.

CONCLUSIONdbcAMP and forskolin increase the motility and progressive motility of human sperm in vitro.

Adult ; Bucladesine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Colforsin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Osmolar Concentration ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects

We studied the regulation of fibronectin (FN) gene expression by cAMP and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) in HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells. Dibutyryl cAMP increased FN synthesis and mRNA levels, while PMA inhibited the cAMP-induced FN synthesis. In transient transfection assays, cAMP increased FN promoter activity, while PMA paradoxically enhanced the cAMP-induced promoter activity. Stable transfection experiments, however, showed that neither cAMP or PMA alone nor together affected FN promoter activity. These results suggest that PMA antagonizes the cAMP-induced FN gene expression and that both the action of cAMP and the inhibition of its action by PMA may occur at the posttranscriptional level in HT-1080 cells.
Blotting, Northern ; Bucladesine/pharmacology* ; Bucladesine/antagonists & inhibitors ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibronectins/metabolism ; Fibronectins/genetics* ; Fibrosarcoma/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation* ; Human ; Luciferase/metabolism ; Precipitin Tests ; Promoter Regions (Genetics) ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate/pharmacology* ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; beta-Galactosidase/metabolism

One of the primary functions for which bones have evolved is to act as a structural support. To achieve this, bones remodel throughout life so that their structure remains optimal for the prevailing mechanical environment. Bone remodeling consists of an initial phase of osteoclastic bone resorption followed by a bone formation period. Prostaglandins are potent regulators of bone formation and bone resorption that can have both stimulatory and inhibitory effects. Elevation of intracellular cAMP is an important intracellular signaling mechanism involved in the regulation of the expression of many proteins. In this study we examine whether PGE or DBcAMP affects osteoblastic activation or osteoclastic differentiation in mouse bone marrow cells and osteosarcoma ROS 17/2.8 cells. The effect of PGE and DBcAMP on the cell proliferation was measured by the incorporation of [3H]- thymidine into DNA. As a result, PGE2 (0.5-1 ug/ml) and DBcAMP (0.1-0.5 mM) inhibited the [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA in a dose dependent manner. The effect of PGE2 and DBcAMP on the induction of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was investigated in ROS 17/2.8 cells cultured in medium containing 0.4% fetal bovine serum. PGE and DBcAMP stimulated ALP activity in the cells in a dose- dependent manner. PGE2 also increased the intracellular cAMP content in a dose- dependent fashion with a maximal effect at 0.5 ug/ml. ROS 17/2.8 cells release nitric oxide upon stimulation of PGE2 or DBcAMP with interferon-r. PGE2 and DBcAMP increase the phosphorylation level of CREB (cAMP response element binding protein) without any change on the amount of CREB protein. Also, PGE (10-6 M) and DBcAMP (10-4 M) significantly increase the generation of osteoclasts in mouse bone marrow cell culture system. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that cAMP appears to be an important regulatory molecule in the processes of bone formation and resorption.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Bone Remodeling ; Bone Resorption ; Bucladesine* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; Dinoprostone* ; DNA ; Metabolism* ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteogenesis ; Osteosarcoma ; Phosphorylation ; Prostaglandins ; Prostaglandins E ; Response Elements ; Thymidine

AIM AND METHODSThe distribution of ErbB2 in mouse testis, epididymidis, ovaries, oocyte-cumulus cells-complexes in oviducts and sperms was investigated immunohistochemically. To study the effect of c-erbB2 on mouse fertilization in vitro, various concentrations of c-erbB2 antisense oligonucleotides (c-erbB2 ASODNs) were incubated with sperms and oocyte-cumulus cells-complexes during fertilization in vitro. To explore possible mechanisms involved in fertilization, the relationship between c-erbB2 ASODNs and GABA, or dbcAMP, or verapamil during fertilization in vitro was also observed.

RESULTSErbB2 oncoprotein was observed in epithelial cells in epididymis, sperms and cumulus cells. C-erbB2 ASODNs inhibited the rate of fertilization in vitro in a dose-dependent way. The fertilization rate of the control group, low (5 micromol/L), medium (10 micromol/L), high (20 micromol/L) concentration c-erbB2 ASODNs group, and nonsense at oligonucleotides group (20 micromol/L) was 38.3%, 19.6%, 10.7%, 5.0%, and 33.8% respectively. Integral optical density immunostaining of ErbB2 in sperms was notably reduced. Medium and high concentration of c-erbB2 ASODNs notably inhibited cumulus cells adhering to inner wall of Petri dish. Treated alone with GABA or dbcAMP, the rate of fertilization was increased. Both GABA and dbcAMP partially inversed the ASODNs inhibition effect on fertilization rate, but neither of them showed significant effect on sperm integral optical density of ErbB2 immunostaining. In contrast, verapamil inhibited fertilization rate. Co-treated with c-erbB2 ASODN, verapamil showed synergic inhibiting effect on fertilization with c-erbB2 ASODN. Verapamil also inhibited the expression of c-erbB2 in sperms.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that c-erbB2 is closely correlated with fertilization. Ca2+ may inhibit fertilization in vitro through regulation the expression of c-erbB2 gene in sperm cells, while both of GABA and dbcAMP may affect the process of fertilization through the way other than c-erbB2 expression in sperm cells.

Animals ; Bucladesine ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; physiology ; Epididymis ; physiology ; Female ; Fertilization ; physiology ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Oocytes ; physiology ; Ovarian Follicle ; physiology ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; physiology ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; Verapamil ; pharmacology ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; pharmacology